It will be the first time the towers are stripped down to bare metal and repainted since the 60 year old bridge was built. Lead paint will be carefully removed, contained and shipped from the north tower starting April 6.

The painting project, along with all other maintenance, operations and protection of the bridge, is funded from tolls and fees, according to the bridge authority.

The project will begin with stripping and painting on some of the tower's interior cells, followed by the installation of an enclosure on the outside of the tower in later April or early May.

Last year, more than 4 million vehicles crossed the bridge. The most popular month was July, when 604,165 crossings occurred. The Detroit Free Press has more.